Rondo landed awkwardly after a baseline drive with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter. After missing a layup, he hopped all the way across the court to the front row of seats before limping back to the bench. He soon retreated to the locker room with Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte.

Rondo returned later in the quarter and was cleared for action, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't want to risk putting him back on the floor.

"I just felt like it's too early to take that chance," Rivers said.

Pressed on the severity of the injury, Rivers added, "I have no idea. Look, with a sprained ankle -- tomorrow, you'll know more."

Rondo walked through the locker room after the game, but did not meet with reporters before the team's flight to Brooklyn.

Both Rivers and captain Paul Pierce said the Celtics have to withstand injuries to key players.

"It's going to happen. He's not going to play all 82 (games)," Rivers said. "You know how I think: The next guy -- somebody has to step up and figure it out. Tonight was a great example that we did that."

Rivers said he could have inserted Jason Terry as backup point guard, but leaned heavy on Leandro Barbosa, who scored 16 points in 23 minutes against the Jazz.

"That happens throughout the course of the season, guys get hurt, other guys are going to step up," Pierce said. "That's why we brought in the depth that we have this year, and it showed tonight."